Courts Must Be Part Of Solution To Gun Violence Epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 27, 2023 — As we try, once again, to process more horrific acts of gun violence, our hearts go out to the Asian American and Pacific Islander and farmworker communities in Monterey Park, CA and Half Moon Bay, CA. Families’ lives were shattered while simply trying to celebrate Lunar New Year and go to work to support their families.   

We have already faced more mass shootings in the U.S. than days in the year in 2023. It’s hard to imagine gun violence worsening but the recent Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen and a U.S. appeals court ruling California’s ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to adults under 21 unconstitutional could make that a reality and put other remaining regulations in danger of being dismantled.  

Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement:  

“The epidemic of gun violence has for far too long been a part of America’s daily life. There’s no doubt it will get worse if courts put gun lobby special interests over people’s basic right to live without the fear of being gunned down while doing everyday tasks. Too often, communities at the margins — most recently AAPI and farmworker communities in California — bear the brunt of this scourge of violence. We cannot let the courts shove gun safety measures even further backward. We will do everything in our power to keep fighting for courts willing to protect public safety and commonsense gun reform that is constitutional and saves lives.”